During a test, F1 vehicles frequently have brightly coloured paint spattered on their liveries. The special paint is known as “Flow-vis,” which is short for “Flow Visualization paint”. It is used to assess the car’s aerodynamic efficiency.
Several F1 teams were spotted at the preseason test in Barcelona with bright paint splashed on their vehicles. It is due to the new aerodynamic restrictions for the 2022 season.
A powdered paint or fluorescent powder called flow-vis paint is typically combined with paraffin oil. On the automobile, paint is painted or sprayed on to determine the structure of the airflow. Some teams paint their uniforms in fluorescent colours that can only be seen under UV light.
When the F1 car accelerates, the oil evaporates and the paint reflects the airflow’s small, intricate patterns, which are rarely apparent to the human eye.
When teams want to test a specific aerodynamics idea or component. It is to determine if it is functioning properly or to comprehend the direction of the airflow of the complicated F1 car, they utilize flow-vis paint.
Why is an F1 car subjected to a Flow-vis test?
The patterns will be taken photos of and analyzed by the engineers once the automobile has returned to the garage. To validate the information acquired from Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) or the wind tunnel, a Flow-vis test is conducted.
Engineers and aerodynamicists utilized information acquired from visual references or intricate paint patterns to evaluate the performance of parts like wings, winglets, air vents, and any new aerodynamical part of an automobile.
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The data is a confirmation to ascertain the operation of the aero components on the automobile or confirm the structured airflow necessary to ascertain the operation of the component, not indisputable proof that can be relied upon.
Flow-vis paint is a regular sight in an experimental setting. It is like an F1 test when teams test different components of their cars. Since the intricate patterns on the car’s surface can only be seen by a High Definition camera. The teams frequently cite it as proof that they can conceal from opposing teams.
In order to quickly comprehend what the airflow is happening around the automobile, this approach is frequently utilized as a last option. The team members promptly wipe out the evidence after gathering it.
Since the paint is made of paraffin oil and powder, it can be removed with ease. Also, without leaving behind a trace that a competing team would notice.
